Sun Jul 06 06:00:00 UTC 2025: **NSW Man Charged with Arson Attack on Melbourne Synagogue, Sparking International Condemnation**
Melbourne, Australia – A 34-year-old man from New South Wales has been charged with arson after allegedly setting fire to the East Melbourne Hebrew congregation on Friday night. The incident has drawn condemnation from Israeli leaders, who have called on the Australian government to take decisive action against antisemitism.
According to police reports, the man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the synagogue on Albert Street around 8 pm before igniting it. No injuries were reported.
The attack has sparked outrage both locally and internationally. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a “reprehensible antisemitic attack” and demanded that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese “take all action” to prevent similar hate crimes. Israeli President Isaac Herzog echoed these sentiments, condemning the “vile arson attack” and urging Australia to confront antisemitism with “urgency and resolve.”
The incident occurred amidst heightened tensions, with two other potentially linked events taking place on Friday night, including an arrest following clashes between protesters and police at an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne’s CBD.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke visited the synagogue on Sunday, calling the attack “an attack on Australia” and its values. He stated that authorities are investigating potential links between the three incidents, which he attributed to “bigotry.”
Jewish community leaders have expressed deep concern over the incident, with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry describing it as a “severe escalation” of the antisemitism crisis. Sarah Schwartz, executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, condemned the arson attack as an attack on the entire Jewish community.
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